Socceroos great Luke Wilkshire has warned Adelaide phenomenon Nestory Irankunda his fiery streak could cost him a spot at next year’s Asian Cup and a potential trip to the Olympic Games.
Starting regularly for the first time this A-League Men season, 17-year-old Irankunda was sent off in the Reds’ 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory on Saturday after being shown his second yellow card for dissent.
Irankunda’s talent is obvious - his outstanding free kick in round two against Melbourne City went viral - but 80-cap Socceroo Wilkshire said national team boss Graham Arnold may take a dim view of the teen’s outbursts.
The Tanzanian-born winger was part of Arnold's extended squad for the Socceroos earlier this year but did not take the field and has yet to win a senior cap.
Rival sides have deliberately sought to antagonise Irankunda, but Wilkshire urged the youngster to prove he couldn’t be baited into losing composure.
“With his form in the A-League you would think he’d be in with a chance because he’s scoring goals and that’s something the Socceroos have been lacking,” Wilkshire told AAP.
“If he maintains that sort of form it makes it hard for Arnie not to pick him, he’s a special talent, with the confidence and swagger that all top players have.
“It’s very disappointing to see that (send-off) and I’d like to see him be able to control his emotions because that’s something that damages your chances of a call-up.
“The goals are great and the manager might have the faith in you but if you’re a liability and you can’t control your emotion it also tarnishes you and harms you if you want to get selected.”
Irankunda was not named in an Olyroos squad that will face Qatar and Saudi Arabia in friendlies this month before the Olympic qualification tournament in February.
It is not expected Arnold will select Irankunda for World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine when he names his squad on Thursday.
Wilkshire stressed, however, that the window was open for players to fight their way into Arnold's squad.
The Network Ten pundit said Australia needed to find further reinforcements up front to support Mitch Duke.
“It’s definitely the position we’re looking for, any quality No. 9 who can stand up between now and January are going to be in with a shout," Wilkshire said.
“We know Jamie Maclaren’s had limited exposure in international football, domestically his record is incredible but I think he’s coming to the back end of his international career.
“I think someone like Noah Botic would definitely be in the reckoning but it comes down to performances.”
